"chinaman" tools

[BLNRAY]

I know we have disscussed this before but made in china is a real sore point with me. Walked thru Sears today,the tool section,they have been for sometime have stocked lesser quality tools,Evol,gearwrench from china,but it seems the change over to all china craftsman tools is almost complete. i saw sockets,wrenches and ratchets no longer made in USA,all from china. Been buying craftsman tools for 45 years dont need anymore tools,have 4 boxes filled with mostly Craftsman tools,wont be buying anymore,,,,,just saying!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[softailer]

The other day I replaced the front tire on my 07 Harley Softail. While the tire was off I noticed that the front wheel had "MADE IN CHINA" stamped into it. The Honda Goldwing that I owned before the Harley had more American made parts than the Harley does... Go Figure!!! SOFTAILER

 

[JR]

Yup, along with your brakes and suspension parts (Japenese) and virtually all chrome parts (no epa regs over seas). Not too much American on a Hawg anymore, except the guy riding it, maybe .

Such is the case with everything. The public demands cheap parts, well..... cheap labor creates cheap parts

 

[Regcabguy]

China's median wage is $6. 50/hr now nationwide so a few companies have partially returned production to the US. I suspect Vietnam will be the next cheap,reliable labor source.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Sears can choke on their stupid tools and their cheap azz replacement program.

I buy brand new ratchet, it breaks 30 days later and they try to give me a rebuilt ratchet that was once used as a hammer.

 

[mwilson]

Sears can choke on their stupid tools and their cheap azz replacement program.



I buy brand new ratchet, it breaks 30 days later and they try to give me a rebuilt ratchet that was once used as a hammer.

That's why I only buy Snap On ratchets, do it once and done. Same way with the screwdrivers, I have Snap On screwdrivers that are pushing 30 years old. Tip wears out, go out on the truck and have them change the shank and off you go. Tried other brands and it is not the same, can't even apply the same amount of twist that you can with Snap On stuff.



Some of the wrenches from Craftsman are still ok.



Mike.

 

[JR]

The last craftsman ratchet I bought was about 5 years ago, 3/8 drive long handle swivel head. The best one they had to offer I paid good money for it too. (for a craftsman) Within 2 months the gears were skipping in it. Really urked me as I didnt even abuse it. Ive got a couple of proto's now and a Williams Industrial grade. The gears kinda remind me of steel tracks on a track hoe running across ashpault... ... clink clink clink :-laf

 

[JJPage]

Klein is another great choice for hand tools, they tend to cater towards the electrical trade, and as far as I know they do not offer sockets,ratchets,open/box end sets.

My wife presented me with a new Craftsman toolbox at Christmas, upper/lower w/lots of drawers, real nice thought, and I can utilize it. This is a chintzy, thin wall unit, good thing it's stationary because it wouldn't handle the task of travelling job to job.

 

[mwilson]

Klein is another great choice for hand tools, they tend to cater towards the electrical trade, and as far as I know they do not offer sockets,ratchets,open/box end sets.



My wife presented me with a new Craftsman toolbox at Christmas, upper/lower w/lots of drawers, real nice thought, and I can utilize it. This is a chintzy, thin wall unit, good thing it's stationary because it wouldn't handle the task of travelling job to job.

I have been eyeballing the Klein stuff at the big box stores, the insulated line of screw drivers look very good and will be a future purchase. I am a Time Life grade DIY electrician... . .



I do however draw the line at 220 single phase, I can troubleshoot phase failures at work but only at a hobby level... . just a good look and then call the pro's. no touchy, touchy... .



Mike.

 

[jhenderson]

A lot of the pro's around here have started using Cornwell. They seem to be well designed and built, and the local tool man is easy to get along with. My buddy has split his buying 50/50 between him and Snap-On.

 

[mwilson]

A lot of the pro's around here have started using Cornwell. They seem to be well designed and built, and the local tool man is easy to get along with. My buddy has split his buying 50/50 between him and Snap-On.

Cornwell tool trucks (and their franchised owners) come and go up here. The stuff looks decent but I don't think they are as generous as the Snap On guy when it comes to credit. Let's face it, some of these techs run up huge debt buying these rolling condo boxes and filling them to boot.

I have to chase the Snap On guy down to pay him, he never comes in the parts room unless he breaks his truck... ...



As a matter of fact I owe him right now for a set of o-ring picks that I bought to service Gizmo with, I will have to get him paid next week. He doesn't worry but I sure do.



Mike.

 

[jhenderson]

When I turned wrenches, the tool guys seemed to know who to stay on top of, and who not to worry about. Everybody should remember what it costs to properly service a modern vehicle. My buddy runs a general repair shop after hours from his automotive machine shop. I pitch in regularly. Mainly to keep abreast of new tec. He just bought a Snap-On scanner. Not the best, but it still cost almost $4,000. That's a lot of money just to diagnose the problem. It's no wonder garage prices keep going up.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Been Pure SnapOn for more than 30 years now, NO regrets about buying the best.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

What do you guys think of " Mac " tools?

 

[AEdelheit]

I have many Mac, Matco, and Snap On, there all good tools. I feel Snap on is the best for the most part, but there are exceptions too. My Matco tap and die set seems to hold up much better then Snap On and Matco warranties them, Snap on does not. Lately I've been buying most Matco simply because our Matco dealer is by far the most reliable and easiest to deal with. The Mac dealer died abou two years ago from drugs and we still don't have one out Snap On guy comes when he wants and literally takes months to Warrenty anything, out Matco guys is there ever week like clockwork, fast and easy to work with. Ever persons situation will be different but that's how it works for me.

 

[rbattelle]

Armstrong is my favorite, with Wright a close second. Not as pretty as Snap-on, Mac, Proto, or Cornwell, but built built heavier in my opinion. I have yet to see a wrench I like better than Armstrong.



Unfortunately, Armstrong was acquired by Apex, the same people who ruined Crescent and Nicholson, among others. So I'm a bit worried.



-Ryan

 

[JR]

Armstrong was recently sold out to Apex tools, even tough they may still carry the Armstrong name, and are manufactured in China and South America. Not too much of anything actually "Made in America" these days

 

[Wayne M.]

this IS a sore subject! Craftsman= China UGGGG! What a sad thing. Also the other brands like Vise-Grip/ Irwin has gone to the dark side. I think Channelock is ok still.



I have two boxes, one home and one at work. The home one is my "jewelery" and is about 75% Snap with the remaining being Mac, Matco, Craftsman, some old brands like Bonney, Herbrand, Thorsen, and probably my all time favorite in ratchets, S-K. This is the stuff I've collected as I was coming up though the ranks and represents about 30 years and more with things inherited. My Work box is really a lot of junk, except for the HD stuff like the 1/2 gun, sockets, universals, and some specialty tools, It's Craftsman and chinese junk. I also have a lot of swap-meet finds from Blackhawk, proto, armstrong, wright etc. It has to be that way because my employer will only insure $700 in tools.



Here's a cool tool page



This is the Ratchet my Grandfather left me. I just used when I changed my oil pan the other day. It's a beauty.

 

[jgillott]

With the exception of some odds and ends, I haven't purchased any Craftsman tools in quite a few years. My old craftsman stuff, especially the hand me downs from my father, which have to be from at least the early 60's, have been great. I've been buying Snap-On most recently.

 

[rbattelle]

Armstrong was recently sold out to Apex tools, even tough they may still carry the Armstrong name, and are manufactured in China and South America.

Depends on the tool. Their wrenches are still forged here. I was recently disappointed, however, to find a pair of Armstrong Vise Grips are Taiwan origin. But it was stupid of me to hope they might be made here - that's not Armstrong's core business. Anyway, you're right, American made hand tools are becoming rare.

-Ryan